1-day layover in Singapore- help me design eating itinerary

[mcsmcs]

Hi all, next month I'll be in Singapore for a layover en route to Saigon. It's my first visit, and, well, to be blunt, I'd like to eat as much as possible of all the food I've heard about. And take in a sight or two.

My plane gets in at 1AM and my departure is about 1730. So, I figure I'll catch a few hours of sleep at the airport transit hotel and then head.... well, where?

I'd like to see Arab Street and Little India and other nearby sights. And I'd like to try chili crab, though I doubt I'll have time to make it out to the East Coast Parkway where the good seafood places seem to be. What's the best chili crab place in the area I'm likely to be? What are the can't-miss hawker stands?

Thanks!

[M_Gomez]

My favourite place to bring visitors for chilli crabs is Red House at UDMC East Coast. It's 10 or 15 minutes taxi ride from Changi Airport. See http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapor...

Red House is located in a cluster of similar seafood restaurants, including their rivals, Long Beach, Jumbo, etc. They all serve chilli crabs which incidentally, you can also find in Chinese restaurants at Changi Airport itself (including the transit area of Terminal 3) if you do run out of time to get too far away.
Do note that Red House opens in late afternoon - 3.30pm onwards. Long Beach opens only at 5pm. But you can go & check out UDMC East Coast - taxi drivers are friendly & will give you dining tips.

For hawker centres, try Tiong Bahru food centre which is open the whole day from early morning. Or go to Maxwell Food Centre in the business district - which you should avoid at lunch-time unless you enjoy jostling with crowds in hot/humid conditions.

[klyeoh]

Hjh Maimunah in Arab St area is a breakfast or lunch option - it's open from 7am daily (except Sunday):
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/628035

If you want to venture down to Little India, you can check there out:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/606609
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/265309
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/570964

Other threads to read:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/592577
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/578851
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/495562
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/587104